Fireman Hurt, Cat Dies in Fires at Two Congress Street Homes

One cat died and a firefighter was injured as a result of fires at two Congress Street homes this morning.

Bradford City Fire Department Captain Dave Paul said that, as of 11:15 a.m., one firefighter was being treated for a back injury at BRMC.

Firefighters were called to a duplex at 279 Congress at 6:10 a.m. When they arrived, they found flames coming from the left side of the duplex and saw that the fire had already jumped to the house four feet away at 277 Congress and extended into the attic. They called in a second alarm at 6:15 a.m.

"Both crews had a fairly quick initial knockdown," Paul said. But he added that because of the wood shingles at 279, they had to cut the roof away so the fire didn't burn more of the building.

He said there was heavy fire damage to attic, but minimal damage to the rest of the house. As for 279, there was heavy fire and smoke damage to the left side of the duplex, but it did not extend to the right side.

Firefighters have not been able to locate the owner and occupant of 277 Congress, John Van Bergen.

Dan and Debra Teeter are the occupants of the left side of 279 Congress, where the fire started in the dining area. Paul said the Teeters woke up and discovered the fire burning in the next room. Edna Hallock owns the building.

John Cole Jr., Sharon Nofsker and 9-year-old Allison Nofsker are the occupants of the right side of the duplex.

State police fire marshal Greg Agosti has already been on the scene and determined that the fire was accidental. He said total damage to both buildings is estimated at $150,000.

Firefighters were on the scene for four hours with all of their equipment. Bradford Township firefighters were on standby at the Bradford station.

The Red Cross assisted the families.